Local woman's dolls on display at library

New Orleans native Ethel Fields, 65, says she can't even begin to count the number of dolls she's owned in her lifetime, especially since she started collecting.

Kris JohnsonStaff Writer

New Orleans native Ethel Fields, 65, says she can't even begin to count the number of dolls she's owned in her lifetime, especially since she started collecting. In 1997, Fields bought the first doll of her collection from the Olmec Company in New Orleans, which has since closed. From that first purchase to 2005, she collected more than 200 dolls that she bought or received as gifts from others. Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of Fields' prized possessions. Soon after, she packed the few she was able to salvage and moved to Houma where she continued collecting. “I have about 30 now,” Fields said, referring to her new collection of dolls on display at the North Terrebonne Branch Library, 4130 W. Park Ave., Gray. “The library sees a wide variety of people,” said Lisa Jones, the branch's manager. “Everyone from children to adults stop to see it. It's an interesting collection.” “They were at the Terrebonne Parish Main Library at first. Then a lady at the North Branch in Gray called me and said she wanted them there too,” Fields added. “It's a pretty good collection.” All of her dolls have names. Some come with names and others are given one once they arrive at their new home. The collection includes many types of dolls like porcelain, dolls modeled after the Barbie line and what Fields calls “hip-hop” dolls. She made three of them sisters whom she named Bonquisha, Laquisha and Sequisha. “They're dressed like the kids today with little pocket books and their midriffs out, stomachs showing,” Fields said, laughing. “One has a blonde plait. I just love it.” Fields' collection also includes dolls from the American Girl line, which depicts various ethnicities, cultures and interests of girls in America today. American Girl started in 1986 and releases new dolls each year. But the company sometimes releases historical dolls that represent important periods in American history. Fields' favorite doll, Addy Walker, is one of them. Aduke “Addy” Walker was the fifth American Girl historical doll and represents the Civil War Era. She was released in Fall 1993. Her first name means “much loved,” perfect for how Fields said she feels about her. “She's very special to me and she's just so pretty,” she said. “She comes with bushy hair and stockings and a little handkerchief in her hand, which is such an accurate portrayal. She's a slave girl from 1864 during the Civil War. It's just a beautiful story. She and her daddy ran away for freedom. She means a lot to me, being a descendant of slaves and all.” Jones said the library purchases the American Doll line of books, so when Fields brought in Addy Walker, they were excited to combine the two. “If we don't have the whole collection of American Girl books then we definitely have close to it,” she said. “We own the Addy book, so we put it right next to the doll so patrons could make the connection.” Fields' dolls are on display from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. When entering the library, the exhibit is on the left side of the lobby.“I just love my dolls,” Fields said.

Staff Writer Kris Johnson can be reached at 857-2207 or kris.johnson@houmatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter @krisLjo.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.